Colorado Supreme Court backs dismissal of abortion lawsuit
DENVER – The Colorado Supreme Court has supported other judges’ dismissals of a lawsuit accusing the state of funding an abortion provider in violation of the state constitution.
Former lieutenant governor Jane Norton filed the lawsuit in 2013, arguing that state funding given to Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood for medical services effectively subsidized an affiliate which performed abortions and rented space from the organization.
Norton argued that violated the constitution’s ban of public funding for abortions.
In a decision released Monday, a majority of the state Supreme Court didn’t agree. The justices said the constitution bars Colorado from using public funds specifically in return for performing abortions.
A Denver District Court judge first dismissed the suit in August 2014 and the Colorado Court of Appeals upheld that decision in January 2016.
Democrat Shannon Bird to step down from Colorado legislature to campaign full-time for Congress
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 10 hours ago
State Rep. Shannon Bird, a Westminster Democrat, said Sunday that she plans to resign from the Colorado legislature next month in order to focus on running for the 8th Congressional District seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans. Bird...
Trump administration seeks to roll back protections for imperiled species | OUT WEST ROUNDUP
The Associated Press
the-associated-press@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 days ago
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Clash of the titans: Democratic race for governor pits two candidates similar in focus, but very different in style | Vince Bzdek
Vince Bzdek
vince.bzdek@gazette.com
Updated 20 hours ago
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Calendar Dec. 8-14
Rachael Wright
rachael.wright@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 days ago
CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances,...
GOP chair candidates circle Benson, statehouse candidate alleges SOS voter fraud | A LOOK BACK
Rachael Wright
rachael.wright@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 days ago
Thirty-Five Years Ago This Week: Although Colorado Republican Party Chairman Bruce Benson had told one of his predecessors that he hadn’t yet made up his mind as to whether he’d run for a third term, party insiders had already begun...
Dear Abby: A better answer to your question | SONDERMANN
Eric Sondermann
eric-sondermann@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 days ago
It was the beginning of October. I had been invited to speak to a class on political journalism at Colorado College, my old alma mater. The class was taught by none other than Vince Bzdek, the editor-in-chief of this paper...
Federal judge declines to order Denver to let police critic apply for review board
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 17 hours ago
A federal judge declined on Friday to order that Denver permit a longtime police critic to apply to join the board tasked with reviewing officers’ use of force. Regan Benson sought to become one of the two community members on...
Flags lowered, colors raised: Colorado leaders and friends celebrate Sen. Faith Winter’s life
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 days ago
It was the colors that stood out as hundreds braved the cold on Friday to celebrate the life of Sen. Faith Winter, who died in a two-car crash on Nov. 26. Flags at the state Capitol flew at half-staff at...
Colorado Supreme Court to hear case on ballot measure disclosure requirements
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 days ago
The Colorado Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case challenging whether the state can require ballot measure committees to disclose the names of their registered agents in election communications. The case stems from a complaint filed during the 2020...
Divided 10th Circuit orders pretrial release of defendant facing drug charges
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 days ago
The Denver-based federal appeals court overturned a judge’s order keeping a defendant in custody pending trial on Friday, ruling 2-1 that she was entitled to release under the law. Erika Esmeralda Garcia stands accused of two charges related to the...
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